Steel, Guns, and the Industrial Party in Another World

Chapter 298:

In late July, the second phase of the war in the Northwest Bay came to a close. On the western front, the situation superficially reverted to how it was at the outbreak of the war. The strategic location of Fort Bidou remained under the control of the Kent family. However, the pressure from the other two battlefields prevented the recently victorious ducal army from advancing further. In one of these battlefields, Emden utilized the robust defenses of Bayland Castle to temporarily stymie the Alda army. In the other battlefield, along the upper reaches of the Vis River, the situation was dire for the ducal forces. Nearly all of the northern territories directly under the duke had fallen, with Alda’s forces stationed right at the border. Had they not needed to recuperate from a recent major battle, they would have already marched straight to the gates of Center City.

The ducal army, commanded by Fergus and Emerson, repeatedly attempted to drive the Alda army back to the river but failed in direct confrontations. Eventually, they identified a weakness in the Alda forces – a lack of cavalry, a highly mobile unit. They then dispatched light cavalry to harass Alda’s rear, attacking supply stations, assassinating newly appointed officials, and ambushing small detachments, leaving the Alda army scrambling to respond.

Quickly developing a cavalry force was impossible, and the allies could not provide effective support in this area due to threats on the western front. Instead, they had to rely on Alda’s strength in infantry.

The issuance of war bonds alleviated the urgent financial strain for Lakeheart Town, and a new conscription plan was initiated, with draft notices being sent to households.

To boost the enlistment enthusiasm of young men and lay the groundwork for the eventual abolition of serfdom, Paul intended to enact a decree: serfs who served in the Alda army would be freed upon completion of their service. However, this was dissuaded by the Administration Council, arguing that such a policy would deprive landlords of free labor, likely leading to obstacles in the recruitment process.

Resignedly, Paul shelved the idea for another time, focusing instead on the war at hand.

Four provisional infantry battalions were formed and trained relentlessly near Lakeheart Town. Due to production issues, only half of the soldiers received firearms; the rest were equipped with spears and bows.

Despite these circumstances, the staff department maintained strict training standards for formations and internal affairs. The high command did not expect every soldier to be elite; as long as they understood basic commands like advance, retreat, left turn, right turn, and did not retreat without orders, it was sufficient.

Discipline was the foremost element of the Alda army.

During this period, apart from a few small-scale probes, there were no significant movements on either side. The bombardment of Bayland Castle by the first and third battalions also ceased.

Unexpectedly, Marltz Kent sent envoys to the allied forces, proposing peace talks, hoping to restore the situation to pre-war conditions. To him, not demanding reparations or territorial concessions was a significant compromise and a show of sincerity.

The response within the allied camp was mixed. The Malkan and Johnston families were ambiguous and seemed somewhat tempted, but the Parker family firmly opposed any peace talks.

The Grayman and Ganard families suggested that if the war were to end, Marltz Kent must recognize their occupation of northern Emden. They were willing to forgo claims on the Carter family territories occupied during the ‘Tyrant Operation,’ considering them an exclave.

Naturally, the proposal was flatly rejected by Center City. Jokingly, Emden was the duke’s hometown; the idea of ceding even an inch of it to others was out of the question.

Thus, the Grayman and Ganard families also joined the ranks opposing the ceasefire. Having just issued a large number of bonds, they couldn’t afford to end the war without gaining anything; otherwise, it would mean incurring debts for nothing.

Consequently, peace talks naturally fell through.

In the allied camp, Count Parker was the most vehemently against a truce, which puzzled Paul. Was the insistence on defeating Marltz, the usurper, solely due to a commitment to noble tradition and honor?

He privately sought advice from Chief Administrator Ford.

“Oh, it’s not surprising. The Parker family has had a longstanding feud with the Kent family,” explained Ford, twirling his graying beard.

He then recounted the grievances between the two families. “Like the Grayman family, the Parker family is a direct vassal of the royal family – these direct vassals are the lords personally enfeoffed by the Rodney family around the time they secured the crown. The Ferdinand family and their vassals, on the other hand, were native lords of the Northwest Bay. Not just in the Northwest Bay, but throughout the kingdom, there are many such lords with a variety of origins for their titles, some even dating back to the Gubera Empire era. In the chaotic early days of the dynasty, they either collaborated with the Rodney family for mutual benefit or were conquered and forced to pledge allegiance.”

“The Parker family was one of the earliest royal direct vassals enfeoffed in the Northwest Bay, representing the king’s authority in these lands. The Ferdinand family, in name, was also a royal vassal. When the Northwest Duke conflicted with the king, they couldn’t openly speak for themselves due to their loyalty obligations. That’s when the Kent family, a split from the Ferdinand family, took on the role of speaking and rallying the vassals.”

“Therefore, the Parker family, representing the royal family, and the Kent family, representing the interests of local lords, have been at odds for generations, with multiple conflicts and bloodshed on both sides. However, with the covert support of the Ferdinand family, the largest in the Northwest Bay, the Kent family has always had the upper hand over the Parker family.”

So, they were sworn enemies. Paul pondered this revelation; it seemed he was also part of the royal “direct lineage.”

He then asked, “Isn’t the Kent family afraid of royal punishment?”

Ford shook his head. “In theory, the king is the sovereign of all Ordo, and everyone within its borders is his subject. However, there’s an unwritten rule in practice – ‘my vassal’s vassal is not my vassal.’ The king can indeed use his sovereign authority to force the Northwest Duke to punish his vassal or even take action himself, but such rule-breaking methods should be used sparingly, only if the Kent family openly humiliates the royal family or rebels.”

Paul murmured, “My vassal’s vassal is not my vassal, huh?”

Ford nodded, “Yes, last time Jace Kent led troops south to join Princess Catherine’s rebellion-quelling army, he was also acting under the banner of a vassal of the Northwest Duke.”

Hearing Ford’s explanation, Paul silently resolved to ensure that such a chaotic feudal system would not exist in his domain.

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